Hawks dominated during final quarter

The Nuggets outscored Atlanta 29-17 in the final period, turning a close game into a blowout. The Hawks missed their first 13 shots of the fourth and squandered four other possessions with turnovers.

By the time Solomon Jones scored Atlanta's first field goal of the period on a layup with 5:11 left, the Hawks had managed to get two shots to bounce over the backboard without getting one to fall through the net.

At that point, the Nuggets had a commanding 17-point lead. Boykins (5-foot-5) hit a 3-pointer early in the period, used his quickness to get free for a couple of pull-up jumpers and blew by the Hawks to make a driving shot with his left hand, banking it high off the backboard.

Yakhouba Diawara hit a couple of 3s to help the Nuggets take control. Anthony had just four points in the final period, but did manage a thunderous dunk with just over a minute remaining that drew "ahhhs" from what remained of the crowd.

The Hawks returned home after going 2-3 on a West Coast road trip, which included a 98-96 victory at Denver. In that game, Joe Johnson scored 27 points to help Atlanta overcome a 17-point deficit in the final quarter.

Johnson wasn't available for this one, sitting out his second straight game with a strained right calf. The Hawks sure could have used their top scorer, who is averaging 28.7 points, in that miserable final period.

The Hawks, who lost their third in a row, were led by Josh Smith with 21 points.

nBucks 94, Supersonics 93: At Milwaukee, Michael Redd had 22 points and Ruben Patterson added 21 to lead Milwaukee to a comeback victory over Seattle.

Andrew Bogut had 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Milwaukee and hit what proved to be the game-winning free throw for the Bucks with 1:14 remaining.

Rashard Lewis led Seattle with 26 points, as the Sonics lost for the first time in four games without leading scorer Ray Allen, out with a bone bruise in his right foot.

nLakers 102, Rockets 94: At Houston, Kobe Bryant had 23 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the loss of Lamar Odom and a near-historic comeback to beat the Houston Rockets.

Luke Walton added 18 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who shut down Yao Ming in the second half and snapped Houston's six-game home winning streak. Bryant also had eight rebounds and seven assists.

Yao scored 26, but only five in the second half for the Rockets, who played without Tracy McGrady. The six-time All-Star is out with back spasms.